Widow 'devastated' by police shooting decision

Two policemen accused of killing an innocent man after they mistook a table leg he was carrying for a gun have been cleared of all criminal charges.

Harry Stanley, a father of three from Hackney, east London, was shot in the head and hand on Sept 22 1999 after a coffee table leg he was carrying in a bag was mistaken for a sawn-off shotgun.

Irene Stanley, the widow of the dead man, said she was "devastated" at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announcement that there was "insufficient evidence" to prosecute either Chief Inspector Neil Sharman, 42, or Pc Kevin Fagan, 38.

Mrs Stanley vowed to "keep fighting" for justice for her husband, despite the CPS's assertion that not enough evidence was available to refute the two policemens' assertion that they were acting in self defence

The Metropolitan Police Federation said it was "delighted" with today's result and said the two officers had been through a "terrible ordeal" lasting more than six years.

Glen Smyth, the Metropolitan Police Federation chairman, warned that their treatment could make other officers think again about taking up firearms duties.

"The strain under which this has put the officers and their families can scarcely be imagined," he said.

Chief Inspector Sharman and Pc Fagan were arrested in June this year by officers from the neighbouring Surrey force in connection with the death of Mr Stanley.

An inquest jury had returned a verdict of unlawful killing in the case in October 2004, but the officers were arrested after new forensic evidence was discovered during a review of the case.

The new evidence - two bullet holes to the top left shoulder of the jacket that Mr Stanley was wearing - appeared to indicate that he may have been shot as he began to turn towards the officers, in contradiction to their statements.

But today, after reviewing complex forensic findings from a series of experts, the CPS said there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges against the officers.

Mrs Stanley, who is consulting lawyers about whether she can take any further legal action, said: "What happened today was an injustice.

"I am devastated by it, though I half expected it. I am going to keep fighting but can't say more until I receive legal advice."